UNLAWFUL ARREST: POLICE BREACHES COURT ORDER

The state High Court sitting in Ikot Ekpene on the suit No. HT/FHR. 10/2017 brought before the Honourable Justice NFN Ntong, Presiding Judge last Wednesday 8 March ordered the release of Hon. Emmanuel Ben Udoh and Ukeme Emmanuel Ben (Applicants) who were arrested by the Essien Udim Divisional Police Headquarters and later taken to the state Headquarters, Ikot Akpa Abia .

Justice Ntong while hearing the matter brought before it, ordered the 3rd and 4th respondent who were SGT James (IPO SARS, UYO) and Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State to either by themselves or their agents, order the release of the Applicants who are said to be in the custody of the police on forthwith and cause them to appear before the court on Friday 10 March 2017 by 2pm or soon thereafter, for the purpose of hearing in the case.

According to Justice Ntong, the 1st -4th respondent, Udeme Tom Udo, Samuel Mel Ikpa, SGT James (IPO SARS, UYO) and Commissioner of Police were ordered to restrain from taking any further step on the matter or petition pending the hearing of the matter on Friday 10th March.

But in a swift reaction, the village Head of Midim Ikot Inyang Udo Village, Chief Friday Idio Akpan has demanded the release of their sons who are currently under the custody of the police who were unlawfully arrested after being accused of stealing and other offences.

Earlier, in a save our soul massage sent to the State Commissioner of Police, the community disclosed that there was no such incidence as alleged.

They linked one Victor Udom, Etop Japhet Udom of Midim Village and Samuel Mel Idio, Celestine Mel Idio and Uyime Augustine Mel Idio who all had political problems with the victim during the last general elections and vowed to stop at nothing in eliminating the Victim even as they vowed to pursue the matter to ensure justice was done.

In the same vein one Mr. Ime Tom Udo Udo a brother to the first respondent while writing to the Village Head and the Commissioner of Police debunked the allegation by his brother against the 1st and 2nd applicants.

According to his petition which reads in part “my brother falsely told the police that some people in my village assaulted and beat him up and also stole N280. 000. 00 naira only from him. I am writing to tell you that the allegation is false. He is being used by some people to lie against the suspects. I had earlier gone to the police station (SARS, UYO) and there I told the investigating police (IPO) that thieves had never invaded our compound as reported by my brother.

I am living with him in the said compound. He continued “ I do not want this false accusation to generate into something else, hence, my coming out to tell the truth”.

Meanwhile it is also observed that the 2nd applicant, 17, is a son to the 1st applicant who was also unlawfully arrested by the police. Until the time of filing this report the duo were still in the police custody despite court order to release them.